Auction Houses in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: January 2024
NAICS OD6233
Spotlight Report Revenue
$9.7bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XXX.Xm
Employees
55,551
Businesses
32,731
Wages
$X.Xbn
Auction Houses in the US industry analysis
Auction houses are influenced by broad macroeconomic variables rather than product-specific trends. Still, many of the items sold by the industry are rare and valuable, which can leave demand susceptible to shifts in consumer preferences. In recent years, rising per capita disposable income has sustained demand throughout the retail sector. A recovery since the pandemic has boosted consumer spending and encouraged consumers to spend on luxury items. Auction houses endured a significant dip in performance in 2020, followed by a strong rebound in 2021. Profit has been boosted by rising product prices and growing success with online sales. Auction houses that have capitalized on the shift to e-commerce have carved out a strong position in the industry. Still, competition from specialty retailers and other retailers has intensified, limiting growth in profit. Revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% to $9.7 billion through the end of 2024, including growth of 0.6% in 2024 alone.
Trends and Insights
- Pent-up demand following the pandemic fueled revenue growth. Auction houses substantially benefited from an uptick in demand as the economy reopened.
- 20th and 21st-century goods comprise the bulk of revenue. While auction houses are relied on by consumers for purchasing antiques, most items are from the past 150 years.
- Auction houses have had to contend with increasing competition from e-commerce and big box retailers. Other retailers can offer goods at low prices, though they struggle to compete on expertise.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 3.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $9.7bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Revenue boosted by favorable trends in the retail sector
- In recent years, auction houses have been able to expand revenue amid strong growth in retail sales, which has been fueled by growing levels of consumer spending and per capita disposable income.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Demand continues to be supported by growing retail sales
- In the coming years, revenue growth will be supported by higher levels of consumer spending and retail sales. Consumers will be encouraged by a strong global economic environment and the expectation that interest rates will fall.
Biggest companies in the Auction Houses in the US
There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Auction Houses in the US industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including 20th and 21st-century goods, Luxury goods and Classics and world art. 20th and 21st-century goods is the largest segment of the Auction Houses in the US.
Trends and Insights
20th and 21st-century items comprise the bulk of revenue
- 20th and 21st-century items are the most popular auctioned goods since they are still relatively contemporary and are widely recognized by consumers. Alternatively, products from earlier eras may lack recognition from a larger contingent of customers.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Retail Trade in the US
- E-Commerce & Online Auctions in the US
Complementors
- Home Furnishings Stores in the US
- Jewelry Stores in the US
- Art Dealers in the US
International industries
- There are no industries to display.
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry includes establishments that sell rare or unique items to consumers and institutions at auction. Products sold can include artwork, cultural artifacts, jewelry, cars or other items that generate demand from the industry’s client base. Industry operators often act as a broker of these goods, selling items on behalf of the current owner.
What's included in this industry?
Auctioning works of artAuctioning repossessed merchandise Auctioning other general merchandiseCompanies
Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
SELL-THROUGH RATELOTCONSIGNORIndustry Code
NAICS 453998 - Auction Houses in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Pent-up demand following the pandemic fueled revenue growth. Auction houses substantially benefited from an uptick in demand as the economy reopened.
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Factors that influence volatility in the industry
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
20th and 21st-century goods comprise the bulk of revenue. While auction houses are relied on by consumers for purchasing antiques, most items are from the past 150 years.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Purchase this report to unlock analyst insights.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Auction houses have had to contend with increasing competition from e-commerce and big box retailers. Other retailers can offer goods at low prices, though they struggle to c...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Stiff competition limits industry growth. Auction houses have had to contend with a growing array of competitors, particularly businesses focused on e-commerce.
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Wage costs have expanded amid a greater emphasis on customer service. Superior customer service has been a way for auction houses to separate themselves from low-cost competi...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Auction Houses in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Auction Houses in the US industry in United States is $9.7bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Auction Houses in the US industry in 2024?
There are 32,731 businesses in the Auction Houses in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.1 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Auction Houses in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Auction Houses in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 3.2 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Auction Houses in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Auction Houses in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What does the Auction Houses in the US in United States include?
Auctioning works of art and Auctioning repossessed merchandise are part of the Auction Houses in the US industry.
How competitive is the Auction Houses in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Auction Houses in the US industry in United States.
